Saints Pre Season Thread

[pangy]

So did we look like we missed Morgan or not ?

[Plastic]

What stand were you in? From the Northam in the first half (when we were attacking that goal) his interplay with Clyne and JWP was brilliant down the wing, some great touches and little flick ons to get the ball out for the overlapping full back to put a ball in. Impressed me massively, looks very tricky and composed under pressure. I couldn't tell which (new shirts are nice, but it's bloody difficult to read the shirt numbers), but either him or JWP played a ludicrous through ball to Isgrove just before half time and for me he looked our best player...

 

Itchen centre (block eight), so I had him in front of me for about 2/3rds of the game. looked better at the end of the second half, though he was blowing a bit, looked knackered at the end.

Dont get me wrong im keen for him to succeed (just look at my avatar ), but he didn't do it for me today.

[Whitey Grandad]

To be fair, the walk up was pretty emphatic. Doubt they expected that turn out.

 

Yeah, I queued for over half an hour to get my ticket and got to my seat 14 minutes in. Despite it being cash sales with no choice of seat they were still taking 1:25 to 2:00 minutes to serve each customer. The queue stretched back to the Chapel car park when I was being served. Then spent the first half jumping up and down whilst the rest of those behind me in the queue dribbled into their seats and then the 10 minutes before half time getting up and down whilst the alcoholics rushed down to the bar and the little kids wanted daddy to take them to the toilet. The last 20 minutes of the game were just as bad as they all decided to go home early. And I had a little bored brat behind me kicking my seat all the time.

 

As for the game, I was so far up in the Itchen-Northam corner in seat CC3 that I couldn't actually recognise any players.

[Smirking_Saint]

Back from the game, and the brasserie

 

We played 433 from what I could see with Wanyama just infront of the back four.

 

We are a bit of a shadow of the team we were last year which is pretty understandable considering the players and manager we have lost. We are playing differently, more targeted long balls towards the front man and less posession as well as less pressing. We seem to be looking to play a quicker more counter attacking style with plenty of overlapping from the full backs. Its looking disjointed, again understandable, Id argue early season consistancy will be all ovr the place but I hood optimism.

 

Boruc - barely anything to do really, distribution ok, it was hard to see performance for their goal from where I was

 

Bertrand - decent, v quick, decent delivery, good in the tackle and available. Doesnt look fit enough for the wing back system yet but ultimately think he'll be good

 

Fonte - solid, good in possession

 

Yoshida - solid enough but lacked a lot of composure on the ball, wasnt as bad as made out but could definately have used the ball much better

 

Clyne - solid and eager as usual, overlapped tadic well, that looks a strong wing

 

Wanyama - tank, used the ball well, broke up everything, gave some pointless fouls away and wouldnt have escaped a booking in a league game

 

JWP - great set piece delivery, ok on the ball but ultimately a bit anonamous

 

Davis - works hard, links up well, always available, typically davis

 

Isgroove - I was impressed last year and I am again, wouldnt necessarily be a starter for me but quick, puts in a shift and has potential

 

Tadic - works v hard, good feet, good touch, you can see he has quality there but his final ball today was woeful

 

Pelle - Bit of a unit, won everything in the air but frustratingly managed to give it away to much. Ultimately not a patch on lambert. He is more mobile but still seems incapable of getting behind his man

 

 

 

Special mentions to;

 

Taider - who very much impressed me, looks excellent, good on the ball, dynamic and loves a challenge (morgan mark II)

 

Ramirez - has a lot of quality and worked hard, ultimately impressed

 

Cork - did ok, nothing incredible, got down that tunnell quick at the end, worrying

[Grey Crab]

Man who charges people £5 to post on a message board gets upset at the price of a £4 programme.

 

[tweet]497390903162843136[/tweet]

 

[Olallana]

Man who charges people £5 to post on a message board gets upset at the price of a £4 programme.

 

 

Genuine LOL

[doddisalegend]

Certainly reasons to be cheerful. Defensively ok although Yoshida constantly gave the ball away. Attacking, some of the same flair from last year without the understanding.

 

so to the new boys.

 

Betrand, solid defensively and did get forward but didn't push on much into the final third. He's quick and should be good enough. If you like Clyne on the right, you'll be ok with him.

 

Tadic, the fella looks utter class. Touches, vision and delivery are there to see. Once everyone gets on his wavelength he should be very productive. Held position on the right (and on the left for last 30) a lot more than Lallana.

 

Pelle, he's huge. Touch is ok but didn't show anything to suggest he's going to get 15 goals this term without a strike partner or exceptional service.

 

Taïder, bit of a cameo, looked bright and busy and probably did more than JWP.

 

 

The others.

 

Boruc, not much to do, decent distribution with one poor kick

Clyne, solid

Fonte, getting better with age and responsibilty

Yoshida, stopper at best, gives away possession to easily

Wanyama, strolled it, huge difference when he plays

JWP, a little bit missing for me.

S Davis, solid shift as always

Isgrove, has pace and gets in good positions, looks a bit lightweight and make bad decisions for this level right now.

 

Ramirez, lots of effort. Does the difficult things well, ****s up the simple things.

Cork, ususal solid performance

Mayuka, pacey but ****e use of promising situations, this generations Jonno Quick.

 

We'll be ok this year, Koeman has them trying to attack quicker and not as much emphasis on ball retention or pressing, a bit long ball if anything, they need a few games to gel and we haven't got a prayer at Anfield without Schneiderlin.

 

Saves me a load of writing pretty much sums up were I stand. I thought all the new players looked good but Tadic really stood out. You could tell that this was a very new team though a lot of the understanding from last year is gone and it might take a while to get that back. Still need another CB (or two) and need more firepower up front IMO but I think we will be OK this season.

[doddisalegend]

well I must have been watching a different game to everyone else then, because I thought Tadic looked isolated, ineffective and frustrated until Taider came on, at which point they showed the beginnings of a nice little partnership.

 

I think you were. Tadic and Clyne linked up really well in the 1st half and looked really dangerous every time they got forward IMO.

[doddisalegend]

So did we look like we missed Morgan or not ?

 

Clearly any team would miss Morgan but if forced we could get by without him IMO. Midfield is decent with some excellent players we need more strikers though and at least another CB.

[angelman]

Any idea of attendance? Was going to make it, but plane arrived later than I thought.

[the boy from saints]

Any idea of attendance? Was going to make it, but plane arrived later than I thought.

 

Nearly 18K! Not bad going.

[Sour Mash]

Man who charges people £5 to post on a message board gets upset at the price of a £4 programme.

 

[tweet]497390903162843136[/tweet]

 

 

You can post plenty on this message without paying £5.

[St Chalet]

We missed Lallana's creativity and fluidity today, appreciate that might not be a popular opinion.

[S-Clarke]

We missed Lallana's creativity and fluidity today, appreciate that might not be a popular opinion.

 

Fair opinion though. Any team is going to miss a £25m players influence. However it's dressed up, we will not be as good next season as we were last season. It's pointless expecting otherwise as it'll set-up for ultimate frustration.

 

We'll be ok league wise, but we won't be as good.

[hypochondriac]

Fair opinion though. Any team is going to miss a £25m players influence. However it's dressed up, we will not be as good next season as we were last season. It's pointless expecting otherwise as it'll set-up for ultimate frustration.

 

We'll be ok league wise, but we won't be as good.

 

Yeah this probably. I'm still worried that we could be easily sucked into a relegation battle though.

[S-Clarke]

Yeah this probably. I'm still worried that we could be easily sucked into a relegation battle though.

 

Nah, won't be sucked into anything. May flirt around it, but ultimately end up 12-14th. We'll be a pretty standard mid-table also-ran.

[doddisalegend]

We missed Lallana's creativity and fluidity today, appreciate that might not be a popular opinion.

 

In fairness if Adam was still here he wouldn't played anyway as he would have been on strike with Morgan

[Toomer]

Tadic & Clyne look as though they could be good together, we created a few good chances and should have taken a couple of them, Yòshida should have scored but you can see why he is not a striker.

[hypochondriac]

Nah, won't be sucked into anything. May flirt around it, but ultimately end up 12-14th. We'll be a pretty standard mid-table also-ran.

 

Not without another decent striker and a CB we won't. Just a couple of injuries and we would be in deep trouble.

[Pastor Patrón]

Isgroove - I was impressed last year and I am again, wouldnt necessarily be a starter for me but quick, puts in a shift and has potential

 

Isgrove is bloody awful, he just runs round a lot and has zero skill. He's not even good enough for the Championship.

[Saints foreva]

The sooner Isgrove, JWP and Yoshida are out of the first XI, the stronger we'll be.

 

It will be disappointing if any of them start next Sunday.

[suewhistle]

Without going into detail I thought there was no player oput there who looked completely out of his depth, and given I go back to Lee Todd, Ali Dia and before, that's a good sign.. Unlike the previous friendlies Leverkusen were no easy touch and made the game a good competition. We missed Morgan(with 'is head) and Rodrigues, and I noted Gallagher wasn't even on the bench, so I presume an injury.

 

There were occasional lacks of understanding, but you can understand why and see the potential. Losing a friendly to an own goal is not the end of the world and I'm sure Ronnie learnt from the experience. Slightly more cheerful than I was before

[Um Bongo]

I still can't see what football coaches see in Yoshida. I wouldn't have him in the championship. 2 more defenders needed, ASAP. If Yoshida starts next week, we are doomed.

[suewhistle]

Incidentally, I thought it was great to see so many kids there, a large proportion with replica shirts on. It shows that lower priced tickets could help maintain our fanbase, instead of us all popping our clogs in the same decade leaving loads of empty seats.

 

My mate with the kid behind him kicking his seat may disagree (but he enjoys playing the old curmudgeon).

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

A poor performance from SFC today I thought and while that is far from being unusual for this type of low key preseason friendly it doesn't exactly inspire much confidence that this hurriedly assembled team is ready for the trials that lay ahead either. None of the new players stood out to be frank about it although our new LB (Bertrand) did okay I thought.

 

After a first half so forgettable the large number of fans left queuing up for tickets outside really didn't miss anything we improved somewhat when Gaston Ramirez came on, indeed after a shambolic goal conceded we might have equalised had his developing partnership with Steve Davis not been broken by the substitution of the latter player soon afterwards. Fonte was strong and it looks to me that he'll shoulder the burden of captaincy with some aplomb. As for his partner in the centre of our defence (Yoshida) however ... well this player looks as worryingly accident prone as ever. Wanyama did his thing and keeping him fit will doubtless be important.

 

Early days yet admittedly but at first glance it seems to me that this Pelle lad doesn't look up to filling that (Lambert sized) hole in the middle of our attack. Mayuka seems destined to be little more than another marginal 'bit part' player here so where the goals are coming from (till JayRod recovers anyway) seems a open question right now.

 

Therefore before the transfer window slams shut in our face this fan thinks our squad still needs a decent centre forward and a CB to replace Lovren signed as a minimum, or else this season may become a pretty grim one.

[Saint_Tony]

If Yoshida is anywhere near the first 11 we will be in deep trouble

[buctootim]

I thought it was great to see so many kids there, a large proportion with replica shirts on. It shows that lower priced tickets could help maintain our fanbase, instead of us all popping our clogs in the same decade leaving loads of empty seats.

 

Agree. The Saints crowd is getting really old. The club really needs to do more is developing young fans as well as young players bringing. I noticed Brighton are charging £3.50 for under 11s this season, we should do somethimng similalr.

[SaintRobbie]

Certainly reasons to be cheerful. Defensively ok although Yoshida constantly gave the ball away. Attacking, some of the same flair from last year without the understanding.

 

so to the new boys.

 

Betrand, solid defensively and did get forward but didn't push on much into the final third. He's quick and should be good enough. If you like Clyne on the right, you'll be ok with him.

 

Tadic, the fella looks utter class. Touches, vision and delivery are there to see. Once everyone gets on his wavelength he should be very productive. Held position on the right (and on the left for last 30) a lot more than Lallana.

 

Pelle, he's huge. Touch is ok but didn't show anything to suggest he's going to get 15 goals this term without a strike partner or exceptional service.

 

Taïder, bit of a cameo, looked bright and busy and probably did more than JWP.

 

 

The others.

 

Boruc, not much to do, decent distribution with one poor kick

Clyne, solid

Fonte, getting better with age and responsibilty

Yoshida, stopper at best, gives away possession to easily

Wanyama, strolled it, huge difference when he plays

JWP, a little bit missing for me.

S Davis, solid shift as always

Isgrove, has pace and gets in good positions, looks a bit lightweight and make bad decisions for this level right now.

 

Ramirez, lots of effort. Does the difficult things well, ****s up the simple things.

Cork, ususal solid performance

Mayuka, pacey but ****e use of promising situations, this generations Jonno Quick.

 

We'll be ok this year, Koeman has them trying to attack quicker and not as much emphasis on ball retention or pressing, a bit long ball if anything, they need a few games to gel and we haven't got a prayer at Anfield without Schneiderlin.

 

Good summary. For me, glad we've signed Forster. We must must must sign a Centre Back and Striker urgently. There was something missing today, a ruthless desire to win - something Lallana brought - but then it was a friendly.

 

My impression on Pelle and Tadic was that they were pulling out of clashes more than they would in a League game, understandable in a friendly. Not sure Pelle's assists and heading is as good as Lamberts, but he is huge! Lots of potential.

 

Shock of the day was how good Bertrand was and Taider, who grew more and more comfortable as the game went on, there's potential there too.

 

Overall, steady. Nowhere near as good as we were last season, but with the addition of 3 or so more we should be safe and pushing upwards next season.

 

Biggest positive? Our management and coaching staff, already well gelled, left me with the feeling Spurs have been done a kipper and we have the far better manager and staff.

 

Biggest negative? Mayuka. Not anywhere near the standard. We need a Kevin Phillips to put on with Pelle!

Edited 9 August, 2014 by SaintRobbie

[SaintRobbie]

Not without another decent striker and a CB we won't. Just a couple of injuries and we would be in deep trouble.

 

Hypo, I think we'll be 12-14th with a CB and Striker added I'm afraid. BUT, with time and the obvious managerial excellence that's now in place we can kick back into the top half next season.

[buctootim]

Although it clearly wasnt a vintage spectacle, as a game there were loads of positives - mainly that a Saints team who have barely played together contained and outplayed a CL side. There are still things to work on obviously, especially service to Pelle (and getting him to find more space). My main fear before the game was we would get tonked. That never looked like happening and I dont think it will this season either.

[BlakeySFC]

I've said it many times, I'll say it again, Yoshida is rusty at first but give him 2/3 games and he gets pretty good…not incredible by any means but pretty decent.

[hypochondriac]

Hypo, I think we'll be 12-14th with a CB and Striker added I'm afraid. BUT, with time and the obvious managerial excellence that's now in place we can kick back into the top half next season.

 

Fair enough. I can't say I share your optimism. For me next season is about survival. Hopefully Koeman will still be here next season and we can build from there.

[Olallana]

Fair enough. I can't say I share your optimism. For me next season is about survival. Hopefully Koeman will still be here next season and we can build from there.

 

Just out of curiousity since you wrote it now and I´ve seen a lot of others...

 

When does THIS season start?

 

(honest question, maybe my knowledge in the language are too bad to get it...)

[St Chalet]

Fair enough. I can't say I share your optimism. For me next season is about survival. Hopefully Koeman will still be here next season and we can build from there.

 

Its somewhere between a 2012/13 and 2013/14 season for me. We are in better shape than when we came up but not as good as the start of last season.

 

that said, we'll be facing a Liverpool side with a good few changes as well.

[goneawol]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/southampton/11023552/Southamptons-Ronald-Koeman-keen-to-move-on-from-the-past-as-he-prepares-for-Premier-League-bow.html

[notnowcato]

I don't see how you can come to the conclusion that we are one or two signings away from being better than last season based on that game. Where is the evidence? I think if we recruit well over the next couple of weeks that we have a shot of mid table.

Relegation it is then.

[Goatboy]

I fear a long hard season lies ahead.

Good stuff:

With the addition of a decent CB our defence will be fine.

Bertrand looks like a good addition. Quick, comfortable on the ball. Will get better with more minutes.

Clyne linked up well with Tadic and will be a top performer for us this season. Fonte reliable as ever.

Yoshi is a good back up CB but always looks to have an error in him.

Wanyama:

Tadic looks silky. Great touch. High expectations for him.

Davis had his normal tidy game. First name on the team sheet for me.

JWP, great dead ball delivery. Will provide a fair few goals this year.

Taider looked very promising when he came on as did Gaston.

Bad stuff:

Pelle looks well off the pace. Never looked anywhere near scoring, poor first touch for ninety percent of the game. Why is it that big blokes don't jump? Absolutely bossed by their CB (number 5) who was the best player on the pitch for me.

Isgrove. Not for me. Might have pace but lacks composure and quality.

Mayuka. Poor decision making though looked more of a threat than Pelle.

General: our ball retention was poor and we definitely haven't 'gelled' as a team. I can see that Koeman wants us to get forward quickly but I'm not sure at the moment that we have the quality to do that effectively. Leverkusen are a good side that made us look slow and very ordinary.

Going on that performance we will get murdered at Anfield.

Tried to get a beer at half time. Gave up. Ridiculous queues. If I was the catering manager I would be falling on my bread knife.

Noticed the qjacker signs for pre-ordered drinks. No idea what that is about. No info. I'll be spending my money in the pub again this season.

Ho hum though. Good to see some footy even if it was a bit s**t.

[Wes Tender]

In fairness if Adam was still here he wouldn't played anyway as he would have been on strike with Morgan

 

Or out for the next six weeks injured.

[Goatboy]

I forgot! Someone needs to take our manager clothes shopping!

[Wes Tender]

Just out of curiousity since you wrote it now and I´ve seen a lot of others...

 

When does THIS season start?

 

(honest question, maybe my knowledge in the language are too bad to get it...)

 

Fair enough question. As Hypo doesn't appear to realise that the season hasn't started yet, nor has the transfer window closed, he feels perfectly at ease making his predictions on the team we have now, not the team we may have then.

[hypochondriac]

Relegation it is then.

 

Not sure how you took that from my post.

[hypochondriac]

Its somewhere between a 2012/13 and 2013/14 season for me. We are in better shape than when we came up but not as good as the start of last season.

 

that said, we'll be facing a Liverpool side with a good few changes as well.

 

It's not just the personnel though. It's the understanding, team morale and everything involved with that.

[hypochondriac]

Just out of curiousity since you wrote it now and I´ve seen a lot of others...

 

When does THIS season start?

 

(honest question, maybe my knowledge in the language are too bad to get it...)

 

Well for me this season starts when the first game starts but I know it's different for everyone.

[Wes Tender]

Fair opinion though. Any team is going to miss a £25m players influence. However it's dressed up, we will not be as good next season as we were last season. It's pointless expecting otherwise as it'll set-up for ultimate frustration.

 

We'll be ok league wise, but we won't be as good.

 

Just like the Liverpool fans will have been bemoaning the absence of a £35 million player when they sold Carroll on, eh? How could they manage without such a valuable player? Oh, they signed Suarez. Just as we will find out whether we miss Lallana's 60 minute contributions when we have had enough time to assess whether Tadic is as good or better than him.

[badgerx16]

Isgrove is bloody awful, he just runs round a lot and has zero skill. He's not even good enough for the Championship.

 

Koeman seems to disagree. From the Telegraph article linked above :

"Koeman’s eyes particularly light up at the mention of Lloyd Isgrove, a Welsh winger who has previously made only two appearances for the club. “It’s the philosophy of how I like to work,” he says. “I was always a manager who was not afraid to bring new players in. Give them the space, the possibilities and the opportunities to come in.""

[shurlock]

Just like the Liverpool fans will have been bemoaning the absence of a £35 million player when they sold Carroll on, eh? How could they manage without such a valuable player? Oh, they signed Suarez. Just as we will find out whether we miss Lallana's 60 minute contributions when we have had enough time to assess whether Tadic is as good or better than him.

 

Not sure where all this bias and bile has come from; but it's clouding your judgment.

 

Btw, Liverpool signed Carroll and Suarez together. One didn't replace the other.

[S-Clarke]

Just like the Liverpool fans will have been bemoaning the absence of a £35 million player when they sold Carroll on, eh? How could they manage without such a valuable player? Oh, they signed Suarez. Just as we will find out whether we miss Lallana's 60 minute contributions when we have had enough time to assess whether Tadic is as good or better than him.

 

No idea what your point is there. Totally lost me.

[notnowcato]

Not sure how you took that from my post.

 

You said we were 2 decent signings from a shot at mid table.

 

A "shot" suggests a chance, 50-50 at best. Therefore we can expect that "shot" to be unlikely. Where does that put us? We are not lower midtable. We must be fighting relegation. That's assuming your two "decent" signings arrive. If not, are we doomed?

 

All this from one pre-season game. Genius.

[CB Fry]

Just like the Liverpool fans will have been bemoaning the absence of a £35 million player when they sold Carroll on, eh? How could they manage without such a valuable player? Oh, they signed Suarez. Just as we will find out whether we miss Lallana's 60 minute contributions when we have had enough time to assess whether Tadic is as good or better than him.

 

You think Liverpool bemoaned losing Andy Carroll in the same way Saints fans are going to miss Lallana? Even though we sold Lallana for more than Liverpool sold Carroll? And Carroll will never, ever be considered a significant player in the history of LFC?

 

Riiiight.

 

You need to work on your analogies.

[ART]

[video=youtube;-dWp0GdJJzU]